Why not medicate Hashimoto Disease?

Question

I have been diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease, but my doctor does not feel that it should be treated.  I have suffered with depression, overweight and chronic fatigue for years.  My Total thyroid levels are always in the normal range, but the high end of normal.  My doctor tested me for antibodies and my level was 403.  I have other auto-immune diseases.  I have been on  HRT since I was 15 (almost 20 years), and I am on HGH because my pituitary gland has shut down.  My doctor says that there is no reason to treat Hashimoto's.  From what I have read on the internet there are some doctors that do treat, but you can't believe everything that you read.  Just looking for some advice, I have seen my doctor for more than 14 years, but ever since I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's six monthes ago, I am begining to wonder if it is time for a change.  Do Doctors treat Hashimoto's or is it nothing to be concerned about as my doctor tells me?  What would the treatment be any way?  Any information that anyone can give me would be very helpful.
Thank you.

Edrjmom · Answer

Thanks for the support. I am looking into finding a new endocrinologist, I hope that someone will listen to me.  Before I found this board, I was thinking that I needed to see a psychiatrist.  Good luck to you. I will keep everyone posted once I find an endo.
Thanks to everyone for their support.

Rite760 · Answer

I would just like to say definately keep on trying to get help like I was told to do. I am currently being investigated for Hashis myself and waiting to get antibody results back. But my TSH as been up and down at extreme ends of the range but still classed as normal except for one which was borderline high. And my T4 has now finally started to drop but it is still just within the normal range. I also have a thyroid lump. I too have been told by docs, I have to wait for the results to settle one way or the other until I get treatment But from the help I have received here which has been fantastic, I believe that most people are treated for Hashi's if they are getting symptoms. I certainly can't wait until the day comes when I get treatment! Hope this helps because I know how you are feeling.

BethAnn77 · Answer

I think it's time to find another doctor.  Starting in 1998 I had all the symptoms of a thyroid problem and my family doctor sent me to an endocrinologist who said there was nothing wrong with me.  It took me years to find a doctor who would listen to me.  Two different endocrinologists said that my "levels" were in the normal and that there was nothing wrong with me.  That it was all in my head and they wanted to put me on anti-depressants - which I refused.  In 2000 I finally found a physician who was wonderful.  He was open minded about homeopathic medicine and had also studied holistic medicine.  He believed that someone with Hashi's could have "levels" that fell in the "normal" range but that those levels were mirror images and weren't doing what they were suppose to.  He put me on all natural Armour Thyroid and I immediately started to feel better and continued to for a couple of years.  In 2002 the Hashi's really acted up and my anitbody level shot up to 4 times normal.  I was having trouble swallowing, I couldn't lay down as I was having trouble breathing.  My antibody level was 4 times normal and I had surgey in October and 2/3'ds of my thyroid removed.  I know take 120 mg's daily of Armour Thyroid and have blood tests done every 4 months.  

I'm a firm believer that even though levels may be in the "normal" range that taking thyroid medicine can really help someone.  Keep looking for a doctor who will listen to you.  Don't give up.  Good luck.

cmclien · Answer

Like Kitty above, my nodules were too small for her to feel.  So just because he can't feel them doesn't mean you don't have any!

kitty9309 · Answer

My levels for several years (that I know of) were always between 3.8 and 4.7. I always felt that these values were too high. 

Last summer I finally got a value that went above the reference range (barely). It was 5.96 and the upper limit was 5.5. The lab has since lowered the upper limit to 4.5. 

My PCP said it needed to be over 10 for him to treat!

I got myself to an endo who said I "officially qualified for treatment- if I wanted it."! Of course I said yes. 

I have since moved onto a much better endo who said it should have been treated years ago!

I have 2 nodules too small to feel by palpation. They are not a worry at this point. My ultrasound confirmed changes associated with Hashimoto's.

Edrjmom · Answer

Thanks so much for your input.  My doctor has never asked for an ultrasound.  He always feels my neck and says it is fine.  I hope that a new endo will have a more proactive aproach to treating this.  
Thanks again,
Katie

cmclien · Answer

I posted to another person a few minutes ago on almost this identical topic!  But yes, I am an example.  My TSH was 3.9, my Free T4 was .9 and my Free T3 was 1.29 my Anti-TPO was 154.  I had minor complaints, enough to request the tests anyways.  I was sent to an endo and she wanted to wait for 6 months and re-test to see where the numbers were going.  But to be safe she sent me for an Ultrasound and they found 3 nodules.  Once she had that information then she definitely wanted to treat me with synthroid.  
On her prior idea to wait 6 months, she had said some people have antibodies in their blood and they have been there for years so they like to see some kind of history of the TSH levels rising before they treat (her anyways) because the numbers might remain the same for years before rising and they hate to put you on a life long drug too early.
On the other hand, it sounds like you have terrible symptoms already and I'd say get a second opinion.  
Good Luck!
Cindi

Edrjmom · Answer

I just hope that I can find an endo that is willing to treat hashimoto's.  My endo now won't even discuss it.  Does any one know if this is something that gets treatment, or is it just left until the thyroid is pretty much destroyed?  Has anyone gotten treatment with having normal thyroid levels?

kitty9309 · Answer

Good for you for taking control of your health. 

Good luck with a new endo and I wish you the best!

Edrjmom · Answer

I think you are all right, I need to see a new endo.  Even though I have been with mine for 14 years and think the world of him, he just does not believe in treating hashimoto's.

kitty9309 · Answer

I meant to post the above to you, not MEL2611. Sorry, got the posts mixed up!

kitty9309 · Answer

I agree with the above. 

Most endocrinologists now say the the upper end of the normal range is hypo, especially with the antibodies and symptoms. 

I was in the same boat for years and finally went to an endo for treatment. He said I should have been treated years ago!

MEL2611 · Answer

Personally I would go see another doctor for a second opinion.  From the research that I've done doctors are now treating Hashimoto's with Synthroid even if the TSH levels are in the normal range.  If left untreated your antibodies are only going to get higher and eventually you'll end up getting Hypothyroidism anyways because these antibodies are attacking your thyroid.  I've also seen the research on taking 200mcg of Selenium to help lower antibodies, but have yet to discuss this with my own doctor.

I'm definitely not an expert, as I've just recently learned that I too have Hashimoto's and my antibodies are off the charts.  My TSH levels have been stabilized with Synthroid and my doctor is hoping to get my antibodies lowered with the Synthroid as well.

Good luck to you and remember that getting a second opinion can't hurt.  Here's to feeling better!

Edrjmom · Answer

I am not on any Thyroid medication and have never been. My Free T4 is 1.2, TSH is 2.83 and Free T3 is 3.4, all in normal range. But the AntiTPO Ab is 401, the lab results says this should be between 0-35. I just know that I don't feel right. I have so many of the symptoms of being hypo, but I am not. I just feel at a loss.

AR-10 · Answer

He can't treat you for the antibodies. 

Are you already on thyroid hormone replacement?
That's the only treatment option.

If your TSH is always at the top of the lab limit, and your Free T3/Free T4 are below midline on the lab range, then you are probably slightly hypo and need to up your dosage.

If you're not getting treated now, that's a whole different story. You'd have to post lab results, and I'd have to post an "I'm not a doctor" disclaimer.